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Ship:  Polar Pioneer

Itinerary:  Arctic Dreams

click to enlarge
  Arctic Seascape

 cabins & deck plans  |  additional itineraries |  cancellation policy

Day 1 :	Keflavik, Iceland / Embark
Day 2 :	At Sea
Day 3 :	East Greenland
Days 4-7 :	Scoresby Sund / Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord
Days 8-9 :	At Sea
Days 10-11 :	West Spitsbergen
Days 12-14 :	East Spitsbergen
Day 15 :	Bear Island
Days 16-17 :	Norway Coast / Lofoten Islands
Days 18-20 :	Torget Island / Bergen / Disembark / Return Home
	Click for full itinerary

Days	Dates	Deck + Cabin Type
		Triple Shared	Twin Shared	Twin Private	Mini Suite	Suite
20	Aug 5, 2009 Aug 24, 2009 *	$8,990	$10,590	$12,190	$14,090	$15,290
		Optional kayaking (including dry suit): $1190 * Itinerary operates in reverse
Destinations : Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Svalbard Activities : Nature Viewing, Sea Kayaking, Whale Watching

A grand adventure in the purest sense, this voyage combines the classic highlights of the Arctic. Starting in Iceland, we’ll discover some of the most remote and scenic parts above and below the Arctic Circle, including an in-depth exploration of Greenland’s east coast, the island of Spitsbergen and the stunning Norwegian coast.

Day 1 : Keflavik, Iceland / Embark

We board Polar Pioneer in the Icelandic port of Keflavik in mid afternoon, settle ourselves in and set sail in the evening.

Day 2 : At Sea

We will be at sea all day making our way across Denmark Strait and passing over submarine canyons that enrich the whale feeding grounds off Greenland\'s south-east coast.

Day 3 : East Greenland

We explore the east Greenland coast, along the flanks of Knud Rasmussen Land, where old volcanic lavas, thousands of metres thick, plunge into the frozen sea.

Days 4-7 : Scoresby Sund / Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord

If the pack ice allows, we\'ll attempt to reach the breathtaking Scoresby Sound and Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, the world\'s largest fjords. Massive glaciers that calve here form the birthplace of Greenland\'s renowned giant icebergs. We plan to visit remote Inuit communities, hike on the vast tundra and cruise in our Zodiacs among the bergs.

Days 8-9 : At Sea

We\'ll be at sea all day, enjoying informative talks as we cruise north-east across the Greenland Sea. We\'ll keep an eye out for seabirds, whales and pack ice that stretches north across the Arctic Ocean to the North Pole.

Days 10-11 : West Spitsbergen

We plan to spend two days sampling the delights of Spitsbergen\'s mountainous west coast, where glaciers calve into beautiful Hornsund and adjacent bays. We hope to observe remarkable bird cliffs and take long walks on spongy permafrost amid dramatic mountain scenery.

Days 12-14 : East Spitsbergen

Along the north coast we push into the Arctic Ocean pack ice, where we\'ll search for walrus and seals. In the coastal mountains, we\'ll visit trapper huts and stay alert for polar bears. East Spitsbergen is a different world - a polar desert. If ice conditions allow we will try to pass south through the narrow Hinlopen Strait, a channel flanked by austere, cream-coloured slopes rich in fossils. On our walks we\'ll seek eider ducks, Arctic foxes and beautiful ivory gulls.

Day 15 : Bear Island

We\'ll be at sea this morning, and then hope to explore remote and mysterious Bear Island where we hope to Zodiac around lofty sea stacks, hike amid tundra wildflowers and encounter Arctic fox.

Days 16-17 : Norway Coast / Lofoten Islands

Our aim is to spend the next two days exploring the northern reaches of the superb Norwegian coastline. We may stop at Alta to view 6,000 year old petroglyphs, then sail south to cod fishing villages nestled against towering mountains in the Lofoten Islands. Watch for passing whales as we Zodiac cruise beneath steep bird cliffs alive with razorbills and guillemots and explore narrow fjords.

Days 18-20 : Torget Island / Bergen / Disembark / Return Home

Sailing south, we hope to land at Torget Island to inspect the bizarre rock formation Torghatten, a legendary hole in the mountain created by a troll\'s arrow. We may visit the charming fishing village of Sor-Gjaeslingan and and visit the boisterous bird cliffs of Runde. We finish our adventure in the historic waterfront town of Bergen.

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-A fuel surcharge of $50/person/day applies to all Antarctic departures, Nov 2008-Feb 2009.

-Kayaking Options: US$825 $1,045 for Nov 10)
-Diving Options: US$700
-Alpine Crossing Options: US$700
-Climbing Options: US$250
-Camping Option: There is no supplementary charge for this option. Participation will be confirmed at booking on a first come, first served basis.
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
-Single costs are 1.7 times the twin rate

Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.

Ship Description: Polar Pioneer

click to enlarge
  Polar Pioneer

Polar Pioneer was built in Finland in 1985 as an ice-strengthened research ship, and for many years she plied the treacherous waters of the USSR's northern coast. In 2000 she was refurbished in St Petersburg to provide comfortable accommodation for 54 passengers. A combined bar/lounge/library area (stocked with a good collection of polar books) was also created by simple internal restructuring - inviting surroundsing for your Antarctica travel.

This class of vessel has a fine reputation for polar expedition cruising, due to its strength, manoeuvrability and small number of cabins. All cabins have outside portholes plus ample storage space. The Russian captain and crew are among the most experienced ice navigators in the world and their enthusiasm is legendary.

The spacious bridge is always open to us and the decks are ideal for viewing. The chefs are European, and the dining room is attended by Russian stewardesses.

Polar Pioneer is not a luxury vessel as such, but this is a most popular ship for travel to the Polar regions. The accommodation is simple yet comfortable, and the meals are wholesome and uncomplicated. A small fleet of inflatable Zodiacs with outboard motors enable us to travel from ship to shore.

Triple Shared Triple Cabins have two lower and one upper berth, a desk, a small washbasin, storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins.	Twin Shared Twin Shared Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Showers and toilets are very close by and are shared with other Main Deck cabins.
Twin Private Twin Private Cabins have two lower bunks, a desk, windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin. Two cabins have upper and lower bunks (cabins 402 and 403).	Mini Suite Mini Suites have a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofabed in the main room, a desk, video player and TV, windows and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin.
Suite The Suite features a large lounge area, a separate small bedroom with double bed, a sofabed in the main room, a video player and TV, refrigerator, large forward and side facing windows, and a private bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin.